By Howard Greninger
TERRE HAUTE — With a floor to ceiling curved glass wall on the first floor, giving way to numerous computer stations and classrooms, a newly remodeled WorkOne Western Indiana Services Center provides an inviting atmosphere.
It is the first remodeling of the downtown Terre Haute facility at 30 N. Eighth St. since it became a state regional office building in 1993.
“This has been a process that has taken more than a year, as anyone who has done renovation can understand the growing pain that goes with this type of project … for everything from picking out the finish of the door knobs to spending literally hours talking to telephone companies to transfer phone lines,” said Lisa Lee, executive director of Workforce Network, during a dedication ceremony Wednesday.
The remodeled service center now has two computer labs and six classrooms for Adult Basic Education courses, General Educational Development diploma and other workshops.
“I think it is important to remember the reason that we did this was so we can serve our clients more efficiently. We want to use our manpower and our physical facilities to help the clients of WorkOne and we want to provide better training,” said Martha Slopsema, Region 7 Regional Workforce Board president.
Larry Tempel, president of Workforce Network, said the renovation allows the facility to handle more customers “than we normally would in the past. We are really proud of this facility and now have a lot more computers available.”
The service center’s two floors offer 31 customer-use computers, two computer labs currently with 32 computers — but that number can be increased to 36 computers — as well as 49 portable laptops.
Tim Kelley, financial officer for WorkOne, said the center had been located on the fourth and fifth floors, but now occupies the first and fifth floors, with the fifth floor housing unemployment insurance services, Veteran Employment Services, Trade Adjustment Act services and computer labs.
“It makes it easier for clients and walk-ins to gain quick access on the first floor. One of the biggest differences is the open concept. You don’t feel like you are a number in a long line,” Kelley said.
Lee agreed.
“The open concept has no counters to keep them away from people and the resources they need. Our policy is greet people within 30 seconds of coming to the office. We then take people through a team process where we develop a skills career plan for them and then help them all the way through until employment,” Lee said.
Site Manager Curt Robison said the center’s clients include organizations such as the Vigo County School Corp., Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana State University, as well as industries and businesses throughout a six-county region. The center serves Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, Parke, Vermillion and Putnam counties.
Classes at the service center help job seekers use the state’s Indiana Career Connect Web site — www.indianacareer.com — with workshops for job training and job referrals as well as placement assistance.
The service center also helps its clients with labor market information, candidate screening, job fairs and other recruitment services. Job seekers can access the latest job openings, wage information, testing and training opportunities, gain assistance with résumés and information on interviewing techniques.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com
